DLA Piper advises on creation of low-cost Japanese airline

Partner and head of the firm’s London-based aviation group Mark Franklin is leading the team advising the joint venture group, which consists of All Nippon Airways (ANA), the First Eastern Investment Group of Hong Kong and the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan.

Peach Aviation is expected to commence flights in late 2011, offering services at the lowest possible cost for both Japanese domestic and international routes.

Franklin commented: “This is an exciting project for us to be involved in and will exploit our key strengths, calling upon our depth of expertise across different markets and territories.

“We look forward to working with Peach Aviation to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the joint venture.”

Takeshi Kawano, head of legal and company secretary at Peach Aviation, said: “I’m very pleased that we’ll be working with DLA Piper, who’ve been selected as our international aviation legal partner.

“DLA Piper’s experiences in the starting-up of low cost carriers and in the Asian market are very impressive and we hope we can establish a good, ongoing relationship through this project.”

Franklin has previously advised major airline clients on aviation regulation, liability and risk and aviation commercial dispute resolution.